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	Group Formed to Organize Construction Jobs Predicted in Hartford (Hartford-WTNH) _ Constructing jobs to construct a stadium - a plan to do just that is underway in Hartford as efforts to clear the stadium site appear to remain deadlocked. The state must give the New England Patriots a status report on moving the gas company and the steam plant in just 8 days. Even though there's been no encouraging words from negotiators there's a plan in the works to get people ready to build. Chief capitol correspondent Mark Davis reports. Ever since the major work on the highway interchange in Hartford has been completed the sighting of hard hats has been limited. The only place you see them, these days - sometimes it's hard - is on the federally funded pedestrian walkway over the highway to the riverfront. But with a building boom on the horizon it's expected these jobs will multiply. A coalition of state and city agencies, along with some labor unions and construction companies, are hoping to pool some resources in order to funnel the anticipated new construction jobs to local people. The agreement with the patriots talks about a goal of 30% of the jobs going local. The stadium alone is expected to require close to 3,000 construction workers. Auto dealer and entrepreneur Tony March is the driving force behind the idea. He's a member of the capitol development authority. Tony March, Development Authority: "The main thrust of the funnel is going to be to go in and identify initially, one thousand individuals that we can put through the funnel and identify what their skill levels are." It would be partially an educational process, showing people what hard work it really is, but channeling or funnelling those inclined to make a career of it. March: "We would have failed if a person comes out the end of the funnel and they get a job for four or five months. I cannot stress the importance of understanding that this is all about a career in the construction industry." March says he's convinced that the Patriots deal will come through despite the current deadlock on moving the gas company. He's planning on getting the funnel started next week. The Hartford Foundation for public giving is putting together $1.5 million to do it. Today's News Page. WTNH Home Page. ©1999 WTNH/WTNH-DT A LIN station.

Group Formed to Organize Construction Jobs Predicted in Hartford
(Hartford-WTNH) _ Constructing jobs to construct a stadium - a plan to do just that is underway in Hartford as efforts to clear the stadium site appear to remain deadlocked. The state must give the New England Patriots a status report on moving the gas company and the steam plant in just 8 days. Even though there's been no encouraging words from negotiators there's a plan in the works to get people ready to build.
Chief capitol correspondent Mark Davis reports.

Ever since the major work on the highway interchange in Hartford has been completed the sighting of hard hats has been limited. The only place you see them, these days - sometimes it's hard - is on the federally funded pedestrian walkway over the highway to the riverfront. But with a building boom on the horizon it's expected these jobs will multiply.

A coalition of state and city agencies, along with some labor unions and construction companies, are hoping to pool some resources in order to funnel the anticipated new construction jobs to local people. The agreement with the patriots talks about a goal of 30% of the jobs going local. The stadium alone is expected to require close to 3,000 construction workers.

Auto dealer and entrepreneur Tony March is the driving force behind the idea. He's a member of the capitol development authority.

Tony March, Development Authority: "The main thrust of the funnel is going to be to go in and identify initially, one thousand individuals that we can put through the funnel and identify what their skill levels are."

It would be partially an educational process, showing people what hard work it really is, but channeling or funnelling those inclined to make a career of it.

March: "We would have failed if a person comes out the end of the funnel and they get a job for four or five months. I cannot stress the importance of understanding that this is all about a career in the construction industry."

March says he's convinced that the Patriots deal will come through despite the current deadlock on moving the gas company. He's planning on getting the funnel started next week. The Hartford Foundation for public giving is putting together $1.5 million to do it.

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